December 2007 Newsletter
A CONFIDENT NEW YOU IN 2008!
It’s that time of year again. Holiday parties, running around for last minute gifts and New Year’s resolutions. This is the ideal time to take advantage of the coming New Year and the fresh start we have all been given. Take a moment to think about your goals in 2008 so you can begin to build the groundwork to reaching them.
Try to visualize what you want to accomplish in 2008. Whether it is a better job, starting on a new career path, strengthening the relationships with your loved ones or to simply look and feel as beautiful as you are each day now is the time to realize your dreams.
The foundation to achieving your goals begins with you and your self-confidence. It is YOUR responsibility to sell yourself to those around you as no one else will! You have the ability look poised and self-confident, no matter how you feel. Part of this is about your attitude, but the other part – the easier part – is about wearing clothes that fit you and encourage you to take on the world. It’s about looking as great as you can whenever you can. Style and fashion do not have to be overwhelming you would be surprised at how subtle changes can make a remarkable difference in how others view you and, more importantly, how you feel about yourself. Please let me know if I can help you achieve your goals in 2008. This is your year to shine!!!
I am excited to announce that my first column as Fashion Director of AT HOME TENNESSEE magazine will be coming out in the January issue! This is a phenomenal magazine and I am honored to be a part of it. Please visit www.athometn.com for more information and to sign up for your own subscription now!
I hope you and yours have a beautiful and unforgettable holiday season!
Happy Shopping!
Mila
Fashion Resolutions
1). Take the time each morning to put on your face. Looking your best each day will inspire you to do things that you might not have done if you looked sloppy. If you are running low on time, try to at least grab your mascara and lip gloss!
2). Buy the right jeans for your body type! (For expert tips about this topic, email me and request a copy of my APRIL NEWSLETTER).
3). Quality over quantity. Invest a bit more in the basics’ that will last a long time. Buying 10 items that look shoddy after one wear isn’t worth the money. Crisp black pants, a soft cashmere sweater, and the just-right white button-down shirt can form the foundation of your wardrobe.
4). Sale items If you wouldn’t buy the item at full price, you shouldn’t buy it simply because it is on sale!
5). Clean out your closet. If you haven’t worn an item in over a year, give it away!
6). Dress for your body type this may mean that you will miss a few trends along the way, but it will also ensure that look fantastic no matter what you are wearing.
7). Find a good tailor. Perfectly fitting — not necessarily expensive — clothes are the definition of true chic. The key to a great fit? The right tailor. Ask friends for recommendations and cultivate a relationship. You might find that you can give old, ill-fitting pieces new life for much less than it would cost to replace them.
8). Invest in a great bag. It is better to have one well-made splurge bag than a closet full of inexpensive ones that don’t hold up. Buy a classic style in black or brown, which will match everything. Consider your lifestyle; if you carry your life in your purse, opt for one that has enough room for all the essentials. This is the one item you wear every day, invest wisely!
9). Develop a signature style. Your appearance is your visual brand. How do you want to be perceived? For example, think of three words that you would use to describe the singing sensation Patti Labelle they may be excellence, strength, class, sex appeal, elegance, power etc…Now, think of three words that you believe others would use to describe you, your appearance and your presence? Do you identify with these words? Is it time to change your ‘brand?’
10). Avoid being part of the Slobification of America’ as Tim Gunn has coined it. He goes on to say that your clothes send a message about who you are. Do you know what message you are sending?
If you take nothing from this newsletter, try to remember these few tips:
· Throwing on a day’ dress is as simple as throwing on your favorite pair of jeans
· Sweat suits are for the gym so keep them there
· Crocs are for the garden, not for date night
· Your husbands and boyfriends do care about what you are wearing. Try to dress for them every once in a while
· PLEASE put on sunscreen every morning
· Buy a trench coat if you do not have one
· And lastly, be proud of the body you have! You only live once so dress brilliantly and confidently while you can!
DO YOU DRESS WITH CONFIDENCE?
How often do you find yourself staring hopelessly into your closet, dreadful of what’s before your eyes as if you were looking into a frightful abyss? Do you constantly reach for the same pair of trousers, for that one wrap dress you purchased a decade ago? If your answer to these questions is “more often than not” you may well have fallen into a fashion rut.
The Fit of Your Clothes
How your clothes fit can make all the difference in the world when it comes to looking and feeling confident. Jackets are a good example. A baggy, ill-fitting jacket looks sloppy and may even cause you to slouch. A well-fitting jacket looks neater and will help you to stand up a bit straighter, creating a more confident appearance. Here are some other examples of how fit can improve your style and your attitude.
Pants: The right pair of pants doesn’t need to be tight, it should fit just so. Don’t be concerned that a proper fit may emphasize your curves. In fact, pants that fit right will make you look slimmer and trimmer than pants with too much fabric hanging from the rear area. You’ll notice the difference the minute you put them on.
Jackets, coats, dresses and tops: Wearing tops that create a waist is important in having a crisp, pulled-together look. And it’s more feminine. Remember that clothes that are too boxy or loose tend to fade into the background. Boxy shapes will also make you look and feel shorter than you are.
Bras: There is something about wearing the right bra that makes you stand up straighter. Some women wear sexy lingerie because it makes them feel better. Either way it translates into a more confident demeanor. Whether you are flat-chested or amply endowed, finding a well-fitting bra is essential to dressing with assurance. Look for one that is smooth-fitting and supports your bust size. Make sure it fits in the back as well as the front. Lumps and bumps under your clothing will only make you feel self-conscious.
(Recommendation: Very Sexy bra by Victoria’s Secret).
Shoes: Whether you choose heels, boots or even a pair of comfortable flats…Choose to be stylish – not boring! With all of the choices and styles available to you this season, there is no reason that you can’t be comfortable AND sexy.
Jewelry: One of the quickest and most effective ways to achieve a stylish appearance is with jewelry. Especially a piece of bold jewelry. A chunky necklace, bracelet or earrings (not all worn at once!) will make people stand up and take notice of you. And for your own personal benefit, you’ll simply feel more fashionable.
Colors that Flatter
Wearing all black is fine. It is always slimming and sleek. But wearing a subtle pattern or a splash of color on occasion tells people that you aren’t afraid to be noticed. Additionally, color can be used to distract from any areas on your body you may consider a “problem,” resulting in a confident new you. Here are some other tips regarding hues.
Mix colors: Don’t feel compelled to match everything. Wearing an orange top may be a big step for you, but make it look fresh by pairing it with chocolate brown, charcoal or burgundy. Try wearing pink with heather gray or navy. The key is to feel confident, so if you’re more comfortable wearing a bright color on top and a dark color on the bottom, by all means do so.
Prints: Widely placed stripes can give the illusion of a larger bust. Petite figures are more flattered by small, low-contrast prints. Use patterns to your advantage.
Beauty Tips
Right or wrong, how you look to others is greatly influenced by how well groomed you are. Even an outfit that cost a small fortune will be diminished if your fingernails are chipped, your roots are showing or your brows are unkempt. No one needs to wear mascara or even lipstick to the corner market, but make sure your grooming is exquisite. Please take note of these simple ways to complete your new look from head toe.
Neat nails: Whether you do a buff manicure at home or get a professional one at a salon, make sure your nails and cuticles look well maintained. (Recommendation: Signature Nails in Nashville,TN).
Hair care: Get a haircut on a routine basis. It’s amazing what a difference a quick trim can make to your appearance. If your hair keeps falling in your face, use a fashionable hair accessory to hold it back. Also, keep your roots colored; on “in between” days, wear your hair with clips or adjust your style to disguise the color break.
Smooth, pretty eyebrows: Don’t underestimate the importance of keeping well-kempt eyebrows. Eyebrows frame the face, and correcting imperfections can change your appearance dramatically. You’ll know what we’re talking about the first time you look in the mirror after you’ve groomed them.
Makeup: Even a touch of lipstick or hint of blush can transform your face to complete your look. Try to walk out your door each day with the basics…It will completely change your attitude and your day for the better!